Court summons MP Nambooze over skipping bail

Court has extended criminal summons against Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze to November 13, after she failed to appear in court in line with the conditions of her bail.

Nambooze, 49, is battling charges of inciting the public to commit an offence before Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court.

Prosecution alleges that Nambooze on June 9, 2018 through utterances and writings in the media, incited the public to attack and murder public figures, however guarded they may be, since government cannot secure them.

The postings were in relation to the murder of the former Arua Municipality MP, Ibrahim Abiriga, who was gunned down on June 8, 2018 by unknown assailants as he approached his home in Kawanda in the outskirts of Kampala.

When the case came up for mention, lawyer Gerald Podoko from Lukwago and Company Advocates, pleaded with court to adjourn the case for 30 minutes as they wait for Nambooze to arrive but the request was declined.

This prompted Grade One Magistrate Noah Ssajjabi to again issue criminal summons against Nambooze.

During the court session, state prosecutor Racheal Nabwire informed court that investigations are still ongoing.

"Investigations into the matter are incomplete. I therefore seek an adjournment to allow the police complete investigations," she requested.

On August 29, Nambooze was granted non-cash bail of sh5m after presenting two sureties in court.

Her sureties MPs Gonzaga Ssewungu (Kalungu West) and Moses Kasibante (Rubaga North) were each directed by court to execute a non-cash bond of sh10m each and ensure that she (Nambooze) returns to court.

While granting Nambooze bail, Sajjabi said there was no need to deny her bail since she was sick and needed treatment.

The court also granted Nambooze bail on grounds that she was an MP with a permanent place of abode.